A drummer that sings? Strange, but true! Ghapi is the huge man, with the huge voice and huge hairdo that plays up a storm on his huge drum kit!

In January 2005 Ghapi was introduced to the public. Ghapi and his three piece band quickly won the reputation as the new Afrikaans rock sensation. Ghapi’s unique ability to communicate with the audience and the way in which he involves the audience in his performances, places him in a league of his own.

Ghapi has already had four number one hits: In die Diepkant In, Ek wil jou hê,Dis net jy andWie ek is . . .. Ghapi’s I like it reached the number five position on the Kovsie FM charts. The song Wens reached number six on the OFM charts and Dis net jy number eight on the Bay FM charts.

With thirty one years of experience, Ghapi is no newcomer to the music industry. Most people got to know Ghapi between 1989 and 2004 as the singer and drummer for the group Georgia.

Ghapi’ s first CD, In die Diepkant In, was launched during KKNK 2005. A variety of the songs on this CD are played on radio stations countrywide and even a German radio station deemed it fitting to add some of the songs to their play list. Six of Ghapi’s music videos are currently broadcast on MK89 and kykNET. His first DVD, also titled In Die Diepkant In was released in March 2007,the CD, Wie Ek Is… was released 28 June 2008, and the latest CD, Rock it ! was released 1 July 2009. Ghapi also features on the Naranjo album, Saints & Sinners (released 2010), as well as, Steyn & Ghapi, Unlimited (released 2011).Ghapi III, his first Gospel album was released July 2013.

The name Ghapi is derived from Philip’s nickname, Guppy. As a baby he was a real busy body and his father named him after the lively little fish. “My name must be as authentic as my hair, and what could be better than my own nickname. I adapted the spelling in such a way that it forms a unique word.”

Since Sunday, 26 August 2006, Ghapi’s name regularly appeared in the media. Ghapi wrote and composed the song Idol which was performed by the winner of the Idols competition, Dewald Louw.

During April and May 2010, Ghapi toured through South Africa with “The Queen of Rockstar Supernova, Dilana”. Dilana was so impressed with Ghapi’s energetic performance, that she invited him with his entire band to perform with her in Afghanistan during August 2010.

Ghapi is not only a singer, writer, composer and drummer of note, but also manages his own record company, Rock Till You Drop Records. All the above mentioned products were released by his company.

History

Ghapi’s career kicked off in 1983 as a member of the family group, Love Corporation. In 1989 the brothers decided to break away and the group, Georgia, was formed. Georgia rapidly won the reputation of one of South Africa’s most versatile bands. They were not only famous for their outstanding public performances, but were also held in high regard as individual session musicians.

Since 1989, as a member of Georgia, Ghapi has performed at a variety of night clubs and holiday resorts:

During the 1996 National Summer Surf Tour Georgia, the Lemmings, Amersham and Mean Mr. Mustard tour all over South Africa.

In October 1997, Georgia signs a three month contract with Sun International to perform in Trader’s Horn, Sun City. The contract is extended to April 1999.

During this time the David’s Confession, About Time project was recorded in collaboration with co-musician and friend, Mel Botes. The project is launched as a theatre production. A three month national tour in support of the album followed. (David’s Confession hereafter referred to as D/C)

The two brothers return to the club scene during July 1999 as Georgia. They performed between five and six times a week at different venues like:

Caesar’s Casino

Firkin

The Workshop

Boston Tea Party

The Carousel

Hurricane’s

Their popularity resulted in regular performances at music festivals, corporate functions and private functions.

Georgia took the Afrikaans market by surprise with their first Afrikaans CD, “Langpad” followed by “Half” two years later. They had resounding success with their performances at the following festivals:

Aardklop 2000 / 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004

KKNK 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004

Sonskyn Festival 2002

Gariep Festival 2002 / 2003

Opening of Skouspel 2002 / 2003

Vredendal Rittel Festival 2003

Upington Show 2003

Grahamstown Festival 2004

Kookpunt Festival 2004

Biltong Festival 2003

Zoutpansberg Show 2003

Bank Windhoek Festival 2003

Available products:

1990

LP

Georgia

Self titled

Trio Records

1996

EP

Georgia

Sell Out

Gallo

1999

CD

David’s Confession

About Time

Pri – Media

2001

CD

Georgia

Langpad

Rock Till You Drop Records

2003

CD

Georgia

Half

Rock Till You Drop Records

Session work:

William Blackrose

Laurika Rauch

Top Sport

Gladiator CD

Shell, Road to Fame

Kellogg’s Theme

Karla du Plessis

Steyn and Elvira Fourie

Performances worth mentioning and performances as guest artists:

1997

The Carousel New Year’s Party

Georgia

1997 / 8

Carols by Candlelight, Sun City

Georgia

1998

Hootie and the Blowfish

D/C

1998

Anna Vici

D/C

1998

Kora Awards (All African music awards)

D/C

1998

Rumba in the Jungle, Sun City

D/C

1998

Sun City New Year’s Party, Superbowl

D/C

1999

Sun City Millennium Bash, Valley of the Waves

Individual performances by Andries, Ghapi, Georgia and D/C

2002

Guinness Book of World Records (Great 400)

Georgia

2003

Afskop festival at KKNK

Georgia

2004

Springbok Bar (UK)

Georgia

David’s Confession performances attended by:

Michael Jackson

Sarah Brightman

Michael Flatley (Lord of the Dance)

Georgia performs as backing band for the following artists:

Patricia Lewis

Gene Rockwell

Tommy Oliver

Lance James

Ken Mullen

Sally Vaughn

Tommy Dell

Clive Bruce

Jody Wayne

Bobby Angle

Al Debbo

Barbara Ray

Geraas Musiek Toekennings 2003

Winners of

Best live band/performance

Finalists for

Best duo/group

SAFFAFFAIR Festival 2004

Georgia was invited to perform at the SAFFAFFAIR Festival, Earls Court, London, on 29 and 30 May 2004. Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled at the last minute, but Georgia did perform at the Springbok Bar, Covent Garden, London, UK.

Golden Web Award

Georgia receives a Golden Web Award for the best website in their category.

KANNA Awards – KKNK 2004

Georgia is nominated as the best contemporary group for their performance in the Ons Eet Steeds Kreef production that was presented and sponsored by Rooi Rose.